Book review: Lost For Words

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By Stephanie Butland
Published by Zaffre

 Synopsis: Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look carefully, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are some things Loveday will never show you.

 Into her refuge - the York book emporium where she works - come a poet, a lover, a friend, and three mysterious deliveries, each of which stirs unsettling memories.

 Everything is about to change for Loveday. Someone knows about her past and she can't hide any longer. She must decide who around her she can trust. Can she find the courage to right a heartbreaking wrong? And will she ever find the words to tell her own story?

 How did this book end up in my hands? I was browsing the Borrow Box app and the cover of this book caught my eye so I decided to download the audiobook.

 Was it a page-turner? This is not a thriller so I took my time enjoying the unfolding of the story. My pace did however increase towards the end, as more and more secrets were starting to be revealed.

 Did the book meet my expectations? I think I was expecting a lighter read. Maybe a fluffy love story set in a bookshop. This novel is definitely more than that. There are plenty of details that any book lover will adore, from the setting to the poetry and the literary tattoos. However, there are also underlying themes that will make you think, such as domestic abuse and mental illness.

 Three words to describe it. Bookish. Mysterious. Thought-provoking.

 Do I like the cover? Yes, it is what first attracted me to the book. What’s not to love!

 Have I read any other books by the same author? No, and I see I have a lot to catch up with!

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